Amidst the glitz of a bustling city, Isla and Lucas find their hearts entangled in a clandestine romance. But as family expectations clash with their desires, their love is veiled in the shadows of betrayal and Vice threatening to unravel their forbidden affair.
The day started much like any other, the familiar scent of coffee lingering in the air as I navigated the halls of our family home. Our house, once filled with laughter and bustling activity, now held a solemn echo-a constant reminder of the absence that loomed since Mom passed away 12 years ago.Dressed in the gown passed down from generations, its intricate lace holding memories of happier times, I fastened the necklace Grandma bestowed upon me, feeling her love encircle me like a protective embrace.
The gala tonight, a grand affair for a noble cause, was a stark contrast to the subdued routine of our everyday life. Arriving at the venue, the opulence overwhelmed me. The dazzling lights and tinkling of glasses mingled with polite laughter, a facade hiding whispered conversations and concealed agendas. Amidst the façade, I caught sight of him-Lucas-his presence commanding attention, an air of mystery shrouding him like a veil. Our eyes met, an unspoken understanding passing between us in an instant, a connection that transcended the elaborate setting. It felt as if 'fate' had orchestrated our encounter Amidst the buzz of the gala, Isla found herself weaving through the crowd, the elegance of her gown failing to shield her from the chaos of the event. Lost in the sea of murmuring voices and swirling gowns, she collided with a waiter carrying a tray of champagne, the liquid cascading onto her dress in an unfortunate accident. Her heart sank as she surveyed the now-stained fabric. Panic threatened to surface, but she composed herself, offering a polite apology to the startled waiter, he too was apologizing. she hurried to find solace in the sanctuary of the ladies' room, a sense of frustration gnawed at her-until she collided with someone else. Before she could stumble back, strong arms caught her, preventing a fall that would have worsened the state of her dress. Her eyes met Lucas's, surprise flashing across both their faces at the unexpected collision. "I'm terribly sorry," Isla stammered, flustered by the encounter and the state of her gown. Lucas, composed and unruffled, offered a small smile. "No harm done." He said as he let go of her so she could stand on her own
Despite the urgency to rectify the situation, Isla hesitated, her gaze flickering to the ruined dress. "I need to find a way to clean this up. "the ladies room is this way" Lucas offered, gesturing to the hallway leading to the restrooms. "I'll wait outside, take your time" He said
as Isla disappeared into the ladies' room, Lucas lingered just outside, giving her the privacy she needed. a few minutes passed before she finally came out.
"All good?"Lucas asked
"Yes thank you" Isla said softening her dress as she offered a small smile
"You seem lost? Allow me to be your guide this evening" He said and offered his hand to her Isla's eyes lit up as she held his hand "Yes I was a bit lost, I didn't want to be here this evening you see"
"Aha, pretty obvious actually"Lucas grinned as they returned to the party
"It seems we missed something the dance is about to begin" Isla says
"Well then may I have this dance?"
"You are already holding my hand so of course"She said courteously.
they glided across the dance floor, the strains of a gentle melody enveloped them in a cocoon of elegance and grace. Lucas led with practiced ease, guiding Isla in the refined dance steps.
Breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them, Lucas arched an eyebrow playfully. "Tell me something interesting about yourself. A secret passion, perhaps?" Isla chuckled softly, the question catching her off guard. "Hmmm let me think of something... well you see I'm a bit of a sunset enthusiast, actually. There's something magical about watching the sky transform into a canvas of colors, each evening painting a unique masterpiece" she said Lucas stared down at her in awe seemingly impressed by her
"And moon gazing too, I love that It's like finding solace in the tranquility of the night." Lucas's gaze held a glint of fascination as he continued to listen intently
He finally spoke"Sunsets and moon gazing-sounds like a serene way to appreciate life's simple wonders." Their conversation continued to flow seamlessly, weaving between lighthearted anecdotes and shared interests. Amidst the ballroom's opulence, they found a sense of ease in each other's company, a rare comfort in their lives. As the dance came to an end, Isla found herself inexplicably drawn to the enigma that was Lucas-a man who seemed to appreciate the beauty in simplicity,his deep green eyes seemingly conveying something unknown to Isla and she was beyond amazed at the stark contrast to his facial structures , a slightly wavy dark brown hair and an athletic build. Little did she know that this was just the beginning of their shared moments. But for now the gala had ended and she had to go home.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
The sleek black limo glided to a stop in front of the imposing mansion, its headlights casting a soft glow against the ornate gates. As the security team hurried to open the car door, Isabella stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement with purpose. Her gown, adorned with intricate lace and shimmering sequins, spoke of the elegance she exuded effortlessly.
Storming into the grand foyer, Isabella's expression was a mix of determination and annoyance. She bypassed the lavish surroundings, her gaze fixed on one destination: her brother Nathan's office. The flickering candlelight from the hallway sconces danced across her features, accentuating the resolve etched in her features.
Pushing open the heavy oak door, Isabella found Nathan seated behind his mahogany desk, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. Without preamble, she launched into her tirade, her voice laced with frustration.
"Another impromptu mission, Nathan? You know I have a schedule to maintain. I can't just drop everything at your whim," Isabella admonished, her tone sharp and unyielding.
Nathan leaned back in his chair, unfazed by his sister's outburst. "It was successful wasn't it?"he countered, his voice calm and composed.
Isabella huffed in exasperation, crossing her arms over her chest. "Yes, but that's not the point. This is the third time you have done this, and every time I know nothing about them"
Nathan's expression softened slightly, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes. "The last time I sent you on a mission like this was almost a year ago"
"You are missing the point of this" she said crossing her arms at him
"Look until you are fully into this business I will have to keep you in the dark Isla,three months left and you can get your answers, besides you don't do much just dance around"
"Tonight was the only night I danced around! the last two clients I had to drug them"she said half yelling at him
"Okay Isla that's enough, just three months left and you will know everything, also this one's different I don't know how long we are going to keep setting up your meetings"
"So it's not just tonight?" She said sighing
Nathan nodded and took a sip of his drink before speaking
"I just need you to trust me, you know how it is, you know what we do"
Isabella's frustration simmered beneath the surface, but she knew better than to question her brother's motives. With a resigned sigh, she relented. "Fine, Nathan. But I expect some answers soon."
With a nod of acknowledgment, Isabella bid her brother goodnight and ascended the grand staircase to her room. As she settled into bed, thoughts of the enigmatic man from the gala swirled in her mind. Despite her reservations, she couldn't deny the gentlemanly demeanor he had exhibited. Yet, the mystery surrounding his identity only fueled her curiosity further.
He was too simple and innocent to be a target for her kinds of mission, since tha family business involves assassination and stuff just the basic mafia shit,the last two visibly screamed a red light, but he was just too different.
With a flick of her bedside lamp, Isabella allowed the gentle glow of the nightlight to envelop her, guiding her into a restful slumber. Tomorrow would bring new challenges and revelations, but for now, she found solace in the quiet of the night.
Everyone was shocked to the bones when the news of Rupert Benton's engagement broke out. It was surprising because the lucky girl was said to be a plain Jane, who grew up in the countryside and had nothing to her name. One evening, she showed up at a banquet, stunning everyone present. "Wow, she's so beautiful!" All the men drooled, and the women got so jealous. What they didn't know was that this so-called country girl was actually an heiress to a billion-dollar empire. It wasn't long before her secrets came to light one after the other. The elites couldn't stop talking about her. "Holy smokes! So, her father is the richest man in the world?" "She's also that excellent, but mysterious designer who many people adore! Who would have guessed?" Nonetheless, people thought that Rupert didn't love her. But they were in for another surprise. Rupert released a statement, silencing all the naysayers. "I'm very much in love with my beautiful fiancee. We will be getting married soon." Two questions were on everyone's minds: "Why did she hide her identity? And why was Rupert in love with her all of a sudden?"
Two years ago, Ricky found himself coerced into marrying Emma to protect the woman he cherished. From Ricky's perspective, Emma was despicable, resorting to underhanded schemes to ensure their marriage. He maintained a distant and cold attitude toward her, reserving his warmth for another. Yet, Emma remained wholeheartedly dedicated to Ricky for more than ten years. As she grew weary and considered relinquishing her efforts, Ricky was seized by a sudden fear. Only when Emma's life teetered on the edge, pregnant with Ricky's child, did he recognize-the love of his life had always been Emma.
Warning! Mature Contents! ***Excerpt*** "You belong to me, Sheila. I alone am capable of making you feel this way. Your moans and body belong to me. Your soul and your body are all mine!" *** Alpha Killian Reid, the most dreaded Alpha in all of the North, wealthy, powerful and widely feared in the supernatural world, was the envy of all other packs. He was thought to have it all... power, fame, wealth and favour from the moon goddess, little was it known to his rivals that he has been under a curse, which has been kept a secret for so many years, and only the one with the gift of the moon goddess can lift the curse. Sheila, the daughter of Alpha Lucius who was an arch enemy to Killian, had grown up with so much hatred, detest and maltreatment from her father. She was the fated mate to Alpha Killian. He refused to reject her, yet he loathed her and treated her poorly, because he was in love with another woman, Thea. But one of these two women was the cure to his curse, while the other was an enemy within. How would he find out? Let's find out in this heart racing piece, filled with suspense, steamy romance and betrayal.
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Sandra Hill, the long-lost real heiress of the Hill family, was shunned by her own kin. Instead of embracing her, they bestowed their affection upon an impostor. They even arranged her to marry a vegetative man in place of her so-called “sister”. Sandra sneered, refusing to put up with this humiliation, cut off ties with the Hill family immediately and ran into the flash marriage with Wesley Cooper, her unconscious billionaire husband. With her incredible medical skills, she defied the odds and revived him. Little did she expect that her husband spoiled her with all his love... A medical genius, a computer prodigy, a national treasure in painting, and a racing legend... Her husband revealed her various identities, leaving the Hill family regretful. Her father came pleading, "It's Dad's fault. Please come back." Her mother wept, "Mom will protect you from now on. Please come back." Even her five brothers knelt before he, begging for forgiveness. Yet, Sandra's smile held a hint of mockery as she vowed, “Never!”
She thought she was the love of his life, and he became the love of her life that fateful day she had seen him at the pack's party. Selene Grace was only a replica of Alpha Leo's real mate, and when he spotted her, Leo immediately claimed her as his Luna in order to suppress the rumors of him being mateless. Being unable to conceive turns Selene's marriage into a nightmare, and as if that wasn't enough, Alpha Leo finally reunites with his long time lover and mate, rejecting a pregnant Selene as a result. 5 years later, Selene, a now successful doctor, receives an invitation to the moon shadow pack in order to rid the pack of a deadly disease which has struck it. Will Selene return back to the pack which had caused her so much pain, and what would she do when she realizes that she is mated to the Alpha who had betrayed her in the past?